CHESAPEAKE, Va. — A Chesapeake man and margarita fan has landed in paradise. His ready-to-drink margarita won a national contest, with a head-spinning cash prize, and it’s now on store shelves nationwide.
Deron Cassell’s Tropical Paradise — a blend of mango, peach, strawberry, pineapple and orange juice — won him $100,000, tequila maker Jose Cuervo said in a news release. The blend hit stores in February.
Cassell, 31 and a native of Portsmouth, Virginia, entered his recipe last year in Jose Cuervo’s Margarita Shake-Up contest. He was inspired by things in his kitchen, the company said.
The contest repeats this year, with a $50,000 grand prize. To others who want to try their hand, Cassell advises they go with their gut. Enter at cuervomargshakeup.com through March 22.
